J-Wire

Our Big Kitchen Hosts ‘Beach Shabbat’ in Sydney

Over 150 Jewish community members from many different cultures and backgrounds attended a Shabbaton organized by Our Big Kitchen, under the leadership of Rabbi Dovid Slavin, on Sydney’s Tamarama Beach.

The evening started with the traditional Friday night prayers led by Rabbi Aron Moss of Nefesh Shule and Mendy Feldman. At the same time, Laya Slavin led the women in candle-lighting.

The beauty of the evening was that it was full of soul and spirit, with the Rabbis (Slavin and Moss) taking the time to explain each component of the night and its significance to the end of the working week and the start of the Sabbath rest period.

OBK staff and volunteers erected an eruv on the beach, set the tables up in the letter “shin” and raised fairy lights above the tables in the shape of the Magen David. Guests dined on salmon fillets, dips, pickles and challah for entrée; chicken, potatoes and salad for main; and a selection of fruits and cakes for desert.

As with the general ethos of OBK, the evening centered around inclusion, with much made of how fortunate we are to live under the relatively safe Australian skies, where the open practice and sharing of religion and culture is available.

A special thank you goes to Waverly Council and their team, who made every part of the organization of this logistical challenge that much easier.

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